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B.C. Carbon Emissions Four Times Higher than Reported

B.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions quadruple when emissions from fossil fuel exports and forests are counted, according to a Sierra Club report released in September.

Photo: Colin Campbell.

B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions quadruple when emissions from fossil fuel exports and forests are counted, according to a Sierra Club BC report released on September 13.

In June, the B.C. government reported that the province’s 2010 emissions had dropped by 4.5 percent to 62 million tonnes. But the Sierra Club report, "Emissions Impossible?", reveals that B.C.’s 2010 carbon emissions are actually four times higher, totalling more than 250 million tonnes when uncounted emissions from fossil fuel exports and forests are included.

In a Globe and Mail article Environment Minister Terry Lake rejected the findings of the report, saying the Sierra Club "knows international agreements don't require the province to report emissions that are beyond its control, including those associated with exported products."

The actual conclusion in our report: "The government will have to continue to report official emissions following rules agreed to internationally. However, the official emissions should be considered as just one category in a full carbon footprint report, which includes information about emissions from all sectors of our economy and land use as well as progress toward meeting emissions reduction goals."

The report warns that, if current emissions remain unchecked and new fossil fuel infrastructure is built as planned, by 2020 British Columbia could contribute over 600 million tonnes of emissions, more than doubling current emissions – a figure 10 times higher than official provincial emissions.

Sierra Club BC is calling for a new climate action plan that positions B.C. as a world leader by counting emissions from fossil fuel exports and forests, as well as for B.C. to meet stricter reduction targets that address all sectors of our economy and land use.

“We can fool ourselves but we can’t fool the atmosphere,” said Sierra Club BC Science Advisor Dr. Colin Campbell. “We have turned a blind eye to our true carbon footprint but the good news is that when we look at the big picture we have many more opportunities to reduce emissions drastically than we have so far imagined.”

June 17, 2015 marks one year since the federal government announced its approval of Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
This June 12-21, 2015, join us in supporting Pull Together, and marking the federal approval anniversary in a Week to End Enbridge.

In removing some of B.C.’s best farmland from the Agricultural Land Reserve, behind closed doors and without democratic debate, the B.C. government has dealt a blow to the ability of B.C. families, especially those in the North, to afford B.C.-grown fruits and vegetables, Sierra Club BC and Peace Valley Environment Association said in a statement.